Alexandre Pato is one of the greatest ‘what if’ players of a generation, and AC Milan saw his highs more than anyone else.
Few players reached the levels that Pato did in his early days. In fact, finding anyone who was as destined for the top would certainly be a challenge. However, the Brazilian’s playing time was cut short, at least at an elite level, by injuries.
It is better to ignore those, though, and instead focus on the good bits of an admittedly short career, and the majority of those times came in a Rossoneri shirt.
The standout moments have to be the Champions League goal against Barcelona in the first minute, or the brace against Inter to confirm the Scudetto. However, the story goes much deeper, of course.
Today, the striker spoke to Gazzetta dello Sport about his career, missing Milan and the move to PSG, which never happened.
“It’s thanks to faith. Everything that happens depends on God, who made me overcome injuries, mature as a man and realise my dreams.
“When I was 12 years old, I passed with my family in front of a beautiful building and told my parents that one day we were going to live there. And six years later, I bought the apartment. We think we decide, but it is always His will.
“With my wife Rebecca, we tried for a long time to have a child; some pregnancies unfortunately ended, we didn’t stop hoping and praying, and then Benjamin came.
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“That’s why I have no regrets, not even the exclusion from the 2010 World Cup that I thought I deserved, and I take every moment of life with serenity. In the past, it was said that I was depressed, that I used alcohol: all nonsense. Faith has always made me feel good.”
Even when you were diagnosed with cancer at age 11?
“Of course. And the story proves it. My family had no money or even health insurance. Dad showed a video of me on the field to Dr. Paulo Roberto Mussi, who decided to operate on me for free. From there, I went quickly.
“The tryout at Internacional didn’t last long: time for a chest stop and a pass from first. Taken. At 12, I found myself alone in Porto Alegre, it was not easy. At 16, I made my debut, and at 1,7 we won the Club World Cup in Yokohama: in the semifinals, I scored against Ah-Ahli, becoming the youngest scorer in a FIFA tournament.
“The record was Pelé’s. You can imagine what that could have meant for me…. In the final, we beat the Barcelona of Ronaldinho, Xavi, and Iniesta.”
Why did he choose Milan?
“I had other offers, but I played a lot on the PlayStation, and the champions I chose were almost all part of Milan. It was like joining the PlayStation. Braida came to see me in Brazil, and Ancelotti studied me live in Canada at the Under-20 World Cup. I decided quickly.
“Then I had to be patient for a few months because at the end of the summer market, I was still a minor. And in January, I made my debut against Napoli: I was waiting for that moment so much, the fans were waiting for it. I scored right away, and the scream of San Siro I still carry inside me.
“I miss San Siro, I miss Milan. I would give everything to wear that jersey again: it would only take me six months to return the love I always felt and to help the club.”
But didn’t you stop playing?
“The last game is September 21, 2023, but I continue to train on my own. I would only come back for Milan. I have had many experiences in my career: some good, some disappointing. I have rejoiced, I have suffered, I have learned.
Pato of AC Milan
“I grew as a man and not only as a footballer. Now I look at things from a different point of view, but I would really like to wear the Milan jersey again, and I would do it with great commitment and seriousness.”
What was the best moment you experienced in the Rossoneri?
“The double in the derby-scudetto in 2011. That year, I scored 14 goals in 25 games, with Ibra and Robinho I was very well matched. The challenge with Inter, a few rounds from the end, was decisive, and about the San Siro scream, after my two goals, the stadium exploded.”
How do you explain all the injuries today?
“I was not fragile, I trained well, I took care of my nutrition, I was disciplined. Everyone in my family was physically strong. I probably grew up fast and would need to do specific exercises to help me stay safe. Every time I stopped, I would lose strength and muscle mass. I had a particular structure, which perhaps was not indulged in enough: in the game, I would do numerous sprints of 34-35 kilometres per hour.”
What is the truth of the non-transfer to Psg? January 2012: you were engaged to Barbara Berlusconi, Galliani had closed the purchase of Tevez, then everything blew up. And Tevez went to Juve a year and a half later.
“It was not I who refused, and neither was it Barbara who pressured. At PSG, there were Ancelotti and Leonardo, who, years earlier, had recommended me to Milan.
“They proposed to me a salary of 8 million net. I accepted and told PSG to come to an agreement with Milan. Suddenly, Silvio Berlusconi called me: ‘Don’t accept, you are our star, we are betting on you for the Champions League.’ I couldn’t say no to him.
“It was the president who decided, not me or even Barbara. Then the blame was given to the most fragile one, that is, me.”
Does he still hear from Barbara?
“I haven’t heard from her for a long time. But I have a beautiful memory of our story: two guys who were good together without asking too many questions.”
What does he think of Ancelotti as Brazil’s coach?
“I am delighted and hope to meet him. He has a roster of very good players, but he will need everyone’s help. With Carlo, we have the hope of winning the next World Cup.”
Pato Milanello dec 14 2024
What is Pato doing today?
“Investments in different fields. I have a gym with my brother, I recently bought a club with eight tennis courts, on which I would like to help children become professionals. I do several training courses, and I may also invest in Monza: a fund has taken an interest. And I enjoy Rebeca and Benjamin.”